RED BLUFF — The Ide Adobe Interpretive Association Board voted Wednesday to draft a letter to the state to signal its intent to keep the doors open at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park as much as possible.

“To keep the park open, we have to determine the cost, maximum and minimum, to do the things we think are worth keeping,” said President Brett Southwick.

Tied closely to the Red Bluff park, the group helps with funding a park aide for school programs and supplying volunteers for Adobe Days, Pioneer Christmas Party and a horseshoe tournament.

Northern Buttes District Superintendent Marilyn Linkem said the passage of AB 42 allows nonprofits the ability to take over state parks.

“Think of it as a business,” Linkem said. “First thing you need to do is come up with a plan to see how much of a gap there might be and go from there. We may be able to work out an agreement. We want to keep this open, especially for the school programs.”

Any group interested in operating one of the 70 parks slated to close would be free, with an agreement in place, to keep the park open for everything from seven days a week to just special events, Linkem said. Costs, including salaries, benefits, temporary help, operating expenses and ongoing maintenance, are about $120,000, Linkem said.

Liability insurance could be another $20,000 depending on what type of agreement is made. The state would like a letter of intent with a business plan by Jan. 1, but no later than April 1, Linkem said.

If the park closes, the state would pack up things in May or June. If the association takes over, it would not have responsibility for the park until the scheduled July 1 closure, she said.